Kozhikode : In the case involving death of 12-year-old boy from Nipah, there might be still more persons than currently included in the contact list, said Health Minister Veena George. All efforts are underway to trace the virus origin. Samples from those who have interacted with the child in past 7 days have been sent to Pune Virology Institute, the minister added.
188 persons have been identified so far as having mingled with the deceased child. Of these, 20 have been marked as high-risk individuals. It has been decided for health workers to canvass neighbourhoods using questionnaires. All efforts shall be mobilized to find where the infection originated from, said the minister.
Presently the boy’s mother has fever and a hospital staff who involved in the child’s treatment too reportedly has raised temperatures. Following the incident, Chathmangalam has been placed on high alert. Ministers will continue to camp here to oversee monitoring and other related activities, the minister said.
The Pune Virology Institute has informed setting up special arrangements at Kozhikode Medical College to euquip it for Nipah testing. Training will commence for health staff today on how to administer treatment and effect mitigation against the virus. Treatment for Nipah will in no way affect other medical services of the hospital. Steps have begun to included more health workers for the cause, the minister said.
Chathamangalam panchayat that reported the Nipah virus and adjoining areas have been marked as containment zone. 3 km radius around Mukkam town and 3 km surrounding Kodiyathoor are containment zones. Essential shops will remain open from 7 am to 2 pm noon only.
